Rain warnings and cautions prepare B.C.’s south coast for a drenching

VANCOUVER – A heavy rainfall warning has been issued for Metro Vancouver in what Environment Canada is predicting will be the first in a series of storms to swamp British Columbia’s south coast.

Heavy rain is forecast for the region starting early Thursday morning, with total amounts reaching up to 60 millimetres along the North Shore mountains.

A second storm is expected to roll in by Thursday night, prompting warnings of flash floods and water pooling on roads.

A separate weather statement says the third and potentially most powerful storm will approach the coast on Saturday with very strong winds and more heavy rain.

Environment Canada says total rainfall accumulations from the storms may exceed 200 millimetres for the west and inland areas of Vancouver Island.

The statement says inner coastal regions of B.C. may get rainfall accumulations over 100 millimetres, and even more near the mountains.